500 Sails is a nonprofit organization focused on reviving traditional Chamorro and Carolinian sailing in the Mariana Islands. Their mission is to preserve indigenous maritime culture through community education, canoe building, and ocean voyaging.
"Each one, Teach one"
"Carpe Diem" (Seize the Day)
"Your Toolbox is always with you, use it wisely"
"Convince Your Self"
About Internship Site
The internship at 500 Sails focused on blending cultural preservation with STEM education. Interns were introduced to traditional Chamorro and Carolinian canoe-building practices while also working with modern tools like 3D printers. Under the guidance of Sakman Mario Borja, we learned how heritage, math, and hands-on craftsmanship can work together to create meaningful projects rooted in culture.
Goals of the Project:
Preserve and share traditional sailing and canoe-building knowledge
Apply STEM concepts such as geometry and 3D modeling
Strengthen cultural identity through experiential learning
Encourage teamwork and craftsmanship
Research Questions:
How can STEM support traditional canoe preservation?
In what ways is math used in building and sailing canoes?
How can 3D printing be used to modernize traditional practices?
Hypotheses:
Combining STEM and culture will increase appreciation for traditional knowledge
Applying math improves canoe design accuracy and sailing performance
Hands-on learning will enhance student engagement and skill-building
The project involved several procedures, including attending workshops, sanding and assembling 3D-printed canoe models, applying math concepts like measurement and symmetry, and participating in traditional sailing. We learned by doing, watching, and listening—building our skills through each step of the process.
STEM Careers Involved:
3D Design Specialist
Cultural Technologist
Mathematician
Educator/Workshop Leader
To complete our tasks, we needed a combination of technical and soft skills. These included:
Geometry and measurement for accuracy in sanding and assembling
Attention to detail during hands-on crafting
Teamwork and communication during group activities and sailing
Cultural awareness to respect and understand traditional practices
Problem-solving when working with unfamiliar tools and materials
Internship Mentor
A master canoe builder and cultural advocate. He guided us in learning traditional sailing techniques, the cultural meaning behind them, and how mathematics can be used to make a canoe and not only seen in a canoe but your surroundings also.
Arven Mangulabnan
Student Intern
Josephine Lizama
Student Intern
Prince Calvo
Student Intern
Tristan Yanto
Student Intern
Taisei Fukuya
Student Intern
Marc Pizuelo
Student Intern
Jayden Reyes
Student Intern
Jhaylin Cruz
Student Intern
During my internship at 500 Sails, I assisted in sanding and constructing parts of the 3D-printed versions of canoes to make them smooth and in working or displayable condition. I also underwent sailing sessions on actual canoes, where I learned how balance, cooperation, and structure all factor into being able to navigate the water. During the program, I applied mathematics concepts like measurement and symmetry to assist both the construction and sailing process, also helping with group projects and learning from my mentor.
This internship helped me understand how STEM is so closely connected to our culture, especially in canoe building and traditional paddling. I learned valuable hands-on skills, enhanced my team-working skills, and had even greater respect for the cultural knowledge passed on by our elders. It also caused me to reconsider my own future—I now wish to pursue options that enable me to integrate creativity, technology, and cultural preservation in a manner that can be both beneficial to my education and my community.
During my internship, I assisted in thr repair of Mr. Mario's canoe.I also helped in the 3D printing of the canoe models using Scale factor and assisted in the mathematics included in the project.
My understanding of the deep cultural ties between STEM and traditional paddling and canoe construction has improved as a result of this internship. My appreciation for the traditional wisdom I have gained and improved my teamwork abilities. This internship really help me learn many different skill for the future.
I helped make a scale and sail for a 49 inch and 19 inch canoe with my internship team.
During my time in this internship, I learned that teamwork and communication are essential for achieving success in any collaborative environment. Working with others taught me how to listen actively, share ideas clearly, and adapt to different working styles. I realized that open communication helps prevent misunderstandings and builds stronger professional relationships. Through group projects and team meetings, I saw firsthand how collaboration leads to more creative and effective solutions. These experiences have shown me the value of mutual support and trust in reaching shared goals.
During my my internship with 500 Sails, me and my peers worked together to learn and do many different tasks. We had lessons on ancient measuring tools, units of distance, the cosine law, and much more. We also spent our time perfecting our sail for the model we were going to print. Our main focus was to use the 3D Printer to print a 19 in. scale of the original 40 ft. Anson Canoe. These models are to be placed in classrooms all over Saipan; displaying our heritage and culture revolving the canoe.
This internship has shifted my perspective on many things. It has made me feel more connected to my culture and take pride in where I come from. It has also made me want to do more in order to preserve our cultural practices for futher generations. Adding onto that, this internship has helped me better understand STEM and appreciate the many careers that are deeply connected to it.
During my 500 sails experience i feel like we all put our contribution in 3-D printing, solving math problems, and etc.
My internship with 500 sails made me grow my connection with the culture and its heritage. Not only that but it has also made me learn how the ancestors were living back then and what they had do to put their all into building a canoe. Creating mini miscellaneous was one of the cool things I tried and it was fun, but overall learning how to build a canoe using trigonometry which definitely helped me get into a deeper level with mathematics and I will definitely use that in the future.
Helped 3-D print a model canoe using mathematical formulas learned during the internship
Throughout this internship, I have learned a lot of skills and information about canoes. During my internship, I learned to apply calculations in buoyancy, stability, and weight distribution, how to measure using things without a ruler or measuring tape, and etc. These helped me understand how design affects performance and safety. It also improved my problem-solving and technical skills in a real-world setting. I also improved in my communication and teamwork skills.
I have helped with mechanics and shaping the 3d model in the 3d printer then changed the filler with a new color for variety
This whole internship, was an unforgettable moment for me it thought me how to adapt better to the environment and be able to teach others along the way I hope I can experience this again in the near future since I am on my last year of high school I would like to thank all the teachers and my mentor for giving me the opportunity.
During my internship with 500 sails I explored how mathematics coupled with ancient maritime technology helps us rebuild the ancient Chamorro canoes. Furthermore, I was able to dive deeper into topics such as ethno-mathematics, 3-D printing, geometry, scaling, and advanced algebra in order to understand how we can use modern innovation to recreate life sized canoes
This experience has allowed me to explore different aspects of STEM and how they are rooted in our culture. I have had the amazing opportunity to learn from trail blazers and master ship builders such as Mr. Mario (Sakman) Borja and understand how critical it is to pass down the knowledge, tradition, and culture of our people. This internship has inspired me to seek out opportunities in STEM so that I may someday give back to my community just like this program has done for us.